Whats an amateur astronomer?

from wikipedia

"Amateur astronomy, often called back yard astronomy, is a hobby whose participants enjoy observing celestial objects. It is usually associated with viewing the night sky when most celestial objects and events are visible, but sometimes amateur astronomers also operate during the day for events such as sunspots and solar eclipses. "

and from checking various definitions of astronomer...it is someone who studies the heavens....so

A professional studies
An Amateur observes

amateur/professional - there is no difference. At some point we express an interest in something. If things work out we get to make a livelihood of it, if not we have to do the best we can. There are no "PROFESSIONALS" there are no "AMATEURS" there is just you and your interests - how dedicated are you, how much effort do you put into it. There are amateur professionals and professional amateurs its all a matter of attitude and capability. The only thing that really counts is output - not just pretty pictures, not just the data, definately not the coup but all of them taken together and done with finesse or "class".

Its telling a story - is the story interesting, is it told well. That is all that counts.

JMP

Thats well put Jared.

Jared,

Methinks there is a bit of a philosopher in you!

amateur/professional - there is no difference. At some point we express an interest in something. If things work out we get to make a livelihood of it, if not we have to do the best we can. There are no "PROFESSIONALS" there are no "AMATEURS" there is just you and your interests - how dedicated are you, how much effort do you put into it. There are amateur professionals and professional amateurs its all a matter of attitude and capability. The only thing that really counts is output - not just pretty pictures, not just the data, definately not the coup but all of them taken together and done with finesse or "class".

Its telling a story - is the story interesting, is it told well. That is all that counts.

JMP

Its certainly a nice philosophy and one I wish I could abide by. However, the amateur (you and me) can get by without sticking his neck (and profession) on the line every time he makes a comment, writes a paper. Usually the professional also has a list of letters after his name that he has worked hard to achieve. Not to say that there aren't many amateurs more qualified than professionals - so I suppose the difference is subliminal. I am paid to do astronomy, but I am not a professional - my pay is in awe, wonder and the stimulation to find more about what I observe, these are just remuneration, I wish I was paid financially to do what I love most doing, but I'm not. However I will continue to advance in this most stimulating field of all the sciences, I will get my degree in astronomy (I haven't yet debarked) and I will add my contributions - however small - to this vast field. That I may never be called a professional does not bother me, that I do my best as an amateur and contribute to the science does.
In some ways the amateur has the best of both worlds. He can't be criticised if he gets thing seriously wrong, however he only has to get it right once to get the Kudos.

the amateur (you and me) can get by without sticking his neck (and profession) on the line every time he makes a comment, writes a paper.

Going by some of the threads on this board I would take issue with that particular statement.

Seriously however. I would hazzard that a goodly number of us here are "professional" in some sphere and so have gone throught the initiation rituals to gain admission to whatever tribe. However this does not magically endow one with ability/talent - that comes from inside.
I have no problem acknowledging and defering to talent and ability - but simply because one is a 'professional'.....I don't know I need a little more.

It's a dangerous path, this division.

However this is not astronomy.

JMP

PS I may have misrepresented your mail but did so deliberately, I needed to stretch to make that last point. Cheers